15 Online Chemistry Programs for High School Students

If you're a high school student eager to explore chemistry this summer, online chemistry programs offer a flexible gateway into the subject from anywhere. These virtual opportunities range from interactive courses and simulations to research-driven programs with hands-on components, all designed to deepen your understanding of the field. You can dive into topics like organic reactions, atomic structure, or even biochemistry, while building analytical skills and critical thinking. You can work with experts and researchers in the field, building valuable connections along the way. Whether you're planning to pursue medicine, engineering, or scientific research, online chemistry programs let you explore your interests without the cost of travel.

Below, we’ve curated a list of 15 online chemistry programs for high school students.

1. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program

Location: Internships are available in fully remote and hybrid formats, with in-person opportunities also offered at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA
Cost:  Free to participate; only a $25 application fee, which can be waived for financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size:  Highly competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students age 15+ (remote or computer labs) or 16+ for in-person labs 

ASSIP offers high school students an 8-week research internship across numerous STEM disciplines—chemistry, bioengineering, neuroscience, nanoscience, environmental science, and more. Working one-on-one with faculty mentors, you will either conduct lab work or engage in virtual research work and collaboration. You will gain exposure to advanced technologies, cultivate scientific communication skills through writing and presentations, and explore STEM career pathways via forums and mentorship. The program ends with a final poster symposium where you will present your results.

2. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program type 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts across the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).

Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. 

Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here. 

3. Project SEED Summer Program by American Chemical Society

Location: The program offers both in-person and virtual research projects for students
Cost/Stipend: None to participate; students can earn scholarships up to $5,000 per academic year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Program duration is 8–10 weeks, typically running from June through August
Application Deadline: Generally closes around mid-April
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one year of chemistry and come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (qualifying at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level)

The ACS Project SEED internship is a paid summer chemistry research experience designed for high school students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. Over eight to ten weeks, you will work one-on-one with research scientists in labs, conducting experiments and gaining experience in chemistry research. Meanwhile, the virtual camp component offers remote participants access to college-readiness workshops, mentored training, and exposure to scientific career pathways—all delivered online. You will also receive professional development, final research presentations, and opportunities to apply for scholarships supporting your future STEM studies.

4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) - Chemistry Track

Location: Virtual
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here

Horizon is among the few research programs for high school students that lets you choose between quantitative or qualitative research. After selecting a subject track (for example, chemistry), you’ll be matched with a professor or PhD scholar who will guide you as a mentor. Over the course of the program, you’ll work toward producing a 20-page research paper, which you can even submit to well-regarded academic journals for potential publication. In addition, Horizon also provides each student with a recommendation letter and thorough feedback on their project. 

5. UCLA Summer Online - Chemistry

Location: Virtual
Cost: Fees based on unit enrollment, plus additional registration, international/extracurricular, and documentation fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment to high school students aged 15+
Dates: Varies depending on the course; program typically runs for 3, 6, 8, 9, or 10 weeks from June to September
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines depending on the course; applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school student aged at least 15

High school students can earn UCLA credit through the Summer Online program, which is carefully designed for effective virtual learning. The program offers a wide range of chemistry courses, including General Chemistry for Life Scientists I and II, General and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II, Structure of Organic Molecules, Organic Reactions and Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Structure, and Organic Chemistry with an emphasis on reactivity, synthesis, and spectroscopy. If you’re interested in more advanced learning, then you can also explore specialised courses such as Catalysis in Modern Drug Discovery and Biochemistry, which covers enzyme structure, metabolism, and the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins.

6. ASPIRE by the Johns Hopkins University

Location: Virtual or in-person at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Late June to late August
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, aged 15 or older, with a minimum GPA of 2.8

The ASPIRE internship is a competitive STEM experience offered by Johns Hopkins APL with a virtual internship path for eligible students. You will begin with a mandatory in-person orientation, then complete at least 190 hours of STEM-related tasks over 6–9 weeks under mentor guidance, typically in areas such as chemistry, biology, data science, or engineering. You will participate in technical projects, developing analytical, communication, and critical thinking skills within a professional lab environment. At the end of summer, you will present your work at a virtual Student Showcase.

7. eTutorWorld - Online Chemistry Summer School Course

Location: Virtual
Cost: Pricing starts at around $307 for 10 tutoring sessions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: 8-week summer format, with start dates rolling and customizable to fit your schedule
Application Deadline: No formal deadline; you can book a free trial class anytime to begin
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12

eTutorWorld’s Online Chemistry Summer Course is a flexible, 8-week one-on-one tutoring program designed to help high school students reinforce and advance their understanding of chemistry. At the start, you take a diagnostic assessment to tailor the learning plan to your strengths and learning gaps. The course includes interactive live sessions, guided worksheets, and progress reports to track your growth. Subjects covered range from foundational topics like atomic structure and reactions to more advanced chemistry concepts. 

8. The American Academy - Chemistry - SCI310

Location: Virtual
Cost: $238 per semester
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13+

The American Academy offers fully online, self-paced high school chemistry courses, led by licensed teachers and designed for flexibility. You can take these courses individually or as part of a full diploma program. The first semester covers essential chemistry fundamentals, including states of matter, atomic theory, the periodic table, chemical bonding and reactions, naming and formulas, stoichiometry, and how chemistry underpins the scientific method. The second semester builds on those foundations, delving into properties of solids, liquids, and gases, phase changes, solutions, thermodynamics (including enthalpy, entropy, and free energy), reaction rates, chemical equilibrium, acid–base theories, redox reactions, electrochemical cells, functional groups, polymerisation, biochemistry topics, and nuclear chemistry.

9. James Madison High School - Online Chemistry Course

Location: Virtual
Cost: $399
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students; aligned with the College Prep track; prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry

This flexible online chemistry course enables high school students to build a strong foundation in matter, atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, and more. Key chemistry branches are covered, including thermochemistry, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and nuclear chemistry, with insights into everyday substances like water’s role in life processes. You’ll learn through reading materials, review activities, quizzes, and a final exam, supported by live teacher-led sessions and academic advisors via the virtual platform.

10. Arizona State University - Introductory Chemistry

Location: Virtual
Cost: $25 application fee and $400 credit conversion fee that you pay only if you’re satisfied with your grade and want to add it to your transcript
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply

ASU’s Universal Learner Courses allow high school students to earn four college credits while also fulfilling high school requirements. The Introductory Chemistry course is a 16-week online program designed for students interested in fields like nursing, kinesiology, or those preparing for higher-level studies. You’ll dive into core chemistry topics such as atomic structure, molecular bonding, and real-world applications like blood pH regulation, while also exploring fundamental questions about matter. Learning happens through a mix of video lectures, guided notes, problem sets, quizzes, and labs, all reinforced with instant feedback. By the end of the course, you’ll have the ability to solve molecular-level problems, predict chemical behavior, and analyze materials relevant to health sciences and alternative energy fields.

11. Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Virtual Track

Location: Virtual
Cost: Tuition is charged per unit, approximately $615 per unit for domestic students, plus registration, document, and application fees.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple sessions between May and August
Application Deadline: June 2
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 10th or 11th grade, will be at least 16 by program start, have a minimum GPA of 3.0

UC Berkeley’s chemistry program offers high school students the chance to take real chemistry courses through its Pre-College Scholars Program. The Virtual Track lets you study Berkeley courses online and learn directly alongside Berkeley undergraduates without leaving home. Chemistry options are available only during the six- and eight-week summer sessions. In past years, course offerings included General Chemistry Laboratory, General Chemistry, Chemical Structure and Reactivity, Organic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry Laboratory. Each course will cover a full 16-week semester in just six to eight weeks. Upon completion, you can request an official Berkeley transcript from the Registrar, and the credits you earn are typically transferable (though recognition depends on your future college). In addition, students who successfully complete their course receive a personal commendation letter from Berkeley’s Dean of Extended Education.

12. John Hopkins University - Applications of Chemistry in Medicine

Location: Virtual
Cost: Tuition $1,950 and $85 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – July 18 | Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 9th grade before the start of the program and have a minimum 3.0 out of 4 GPA are eligible to apply

Johns Hopkins University’s Pre-College Online Summer Programs give high school students a chance to experience college-level learning while earning academic credit. One good course, Applications of Chemistry in Medicine, explores how chemistry drives advancements in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and especially drug development. The course is taught online in a mostly asynchronous format, so you can work at your own pace while keeping up with deadlines. For extra interaction, you can join optional live sessions like office hours and group discussions. Successfully completing the course earns you one academic credit.

13. Brown Pre-College Programs

Location: Both in-person and virtual options are available based on the course
Cost: $3,218
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 14 - July 25
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12

Brown University, an Ivy League institution, has offered its Pre-College Program since 1982, enrolling more than 7,000 students each year across a wide range of subjects. The program provides both online and on-campus options in chemistry. One example is the Acid/Base Chemistry: From Food to Everyday Phenomena course. In this course, you will explore common acids and bases, key chemical reactions, and learn to use lab tools such as pH meters and spectrophotometers. The class is designed for students with an introductory background in chemistry. The curriculum also touches on advanced applications like nanotechnology, showing how chemistry can be applied to fields such as biomedical science, environmental science, and nanoelectronics.

14. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes—Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,050 for the summer session; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Two sessions between June and July
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11

This three-week online course introduces high school students to chemical process engineering and environmental applications through Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. In guided live sessions, you will learn to diagram chemical processes, perform material and energy balance calculations, and analyse process variables. The course culminates in a student-led group project focused on real-world challenges, such as renewable energy, wastewater purification, CO₂-based biomanufacturing, and drug delivery systems. After the program, you will receive a written evaluation and a certificate of completion.

15. UChicago’s Summer College—Comprehensive General Chemistry 1

Location: Virtual
Cost: UChicago Summer Session costs typically range from ~$4,600 per course, with financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 16 – July 4
Application Deadline: Priority: January 22 | Regular: March 5 | Extended: April 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students 

The University of Chicago’s Summer College gives high school students the chance to take undergraduate courses drawn directly from the UChicago curriculum. Courses are offered in three- or five-week formats, but each is equivalent in content and workload to a standard nine-week class, with at least 30 hours of instruction. Their course, Comprehensive General Chemistry 1, is designed for students with a solid background in general chemistry. This course explores modern descriptive, inorganic, and physical chemistry, covering topics such as atomic and molecular theory, chemical periodicity, bonding, equilibria (acid-base, solubility, and phase), thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics, quantum mechanics, and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory portion emphasises quantitative techniques, elemental properties, compound behaviour, and experiments with common ions, including their separation and identification.

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